I fear that there is little to no hope. Maybe for this one season, we need to accept that we live inside a high school debate class. Tables are pushed to the edges of the room. Two teams, defined by opposing views, are delegated. And each of the teams retreat to their separate corners to refine their arguments and further fortify their philosophical faith.

On the other hand…

I gave a radio interview to a man who referred to himself as “a nationally known apologist for biblical truth.” He had heard about the theme of my new book, Neighbors and Wise Men and wanted a half hour of my time. I thought we were going to have a discussion. I quickly learned he wanted a debate.

The theme of my book is: How people outside of my religious tradition (Christianity) have taught me the gospel and helped me walk with God. This radio host seemed to find that theme distasteful, so he would ask me again and again, “How can you write on this topic and still hold to the true Christian dogma?”

Every time he did so, I would respond by saying, “That is a really important question, one that does not get asked enough.” And I meant it, even though I might encourage a slightly different set of vocabulary.

There is a little known scholar from the last century by the name of C.S. Lewis. Have you heard of him? He wrote a little ditty called the The Four Loves and in the chapter on friendship he said:

“For us of course the shared activity and therefore the companionship on which Friendship supervenes will not often be a bodily one like hunting or fighting. It may be a common religion, common studies, a common profession, even a common recreation. All who share it will be our companions; but one or two or three who share something more will be our Friends. In this kind of love, as Emerson said, ‘Do you love me?’ means ‘Do you see the same truth?’”

And to this point, we might have thought that Lewis is encouraging us to retreat to our polarized corners. But we would be wrong. He continued:

“Or at least, ‘Do you care about the same truth?’ The man who agrees with us that some question, little regarded by others, is of great importance can be our Friend. He need not agree with us about the answer.”

To put Lewis’ point in my own words: Friendship is not defined by having the same answers. It is defined by caring about the same questions.

And isn’t that what an election season is really about? Isn’t it more about a society coming together to determine the most pressing questions of our day? Isn’t it about determining what items are of such profound importance that they demand public discourse?

So really, up until we enter the voting booth, as a society we are all voting together about what are the most important questions that we all share.

Here is my closing suggestion. As we enter and re-enter the stage of ideology and debate, there is a powerful statement that you may want to memorize. And here it is:

“Please forgive me, I am blind and simply cannot see this issue from your perspective. We agree that this is an important issue. Would you carefully explain your position again for me?”

You might find that understanding happens, compassion happens and just maybe… friendship happens.

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La Candida
October 24, 2012

i dislike talking about politics, in general, because when the conversation comes up most people take the stance that whomever they are talking to has to agree with them. I like this article because it points out that isn’t why we should be talking about the issues. we should be focusing on the issues and trying to understand all sides of them – regardless of the view of the republican or democratic parties. too many people vote according to party lines versus who is ACTUALLY the better candidate or which party’s member have proposed various legislation. they are too polarized; most people are fairly moderate; why can’t we focus on what is truly important and work together, versus against one another, to make this country great once again?